Harrogate girl waiting for heart asks “Make your New Years Resolution to register as an organ donor”

Ellie Holman from Harrogate was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy at the age of 13. When she turned 15 she was told that at some point she would need a heart transplant, but only once the condition had worsened.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is where heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems.

At the age of 19, in August 2015 she become poorly with pneumonia which contributed to the heart condition becoming worse. Although she completed sixth form at Rossett she has been forced to defer plans to university until next year.

Ellie Holman

Ellie is now waiting for a suitable donor in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, at the top of the most urgent list of people needing organs.

She is asking people to make a New Year Resolution of signing up for the organ donor register. Signing up only takes a few minutes and can be done online.

Ellie said:

I got told yesterday that I’m top of the urgent list now so the next match suited to me will come to me.

People don’t need their organs when they die and it’s the nicest thing anyone could do.

I also think if people would take an organ they should be signed up to the register as currently only 33 % of people are, they should also tell their family if they wish to donate their organs because the family have the family say, ultimately it’s their decision.

Ellie Holman in happier times

Ellie is now largely confined to hospital as her muscles have weakened due to greatly reduced mobility.

We would like to wish her all speed in finding a donor and a quick recovery from surgery – we look forward in meeting you when you return to Harrogate and writing a follow-up news story.